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What Does My Swab Test Result Indicate?
Question: If a swab test for staph aeurus came back moderate for MSSA, should the patient be treated with antibotics? Should a blood test be performed?
Brief Answer:
Infection should be treated with antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query
If there is any visible infected lesion Or the patient has signs or symptoms of infection like fever, pain etc then definitely one should be treated with antibiotics to which the organism is sensitive.
Blood test / culture should be done if there is risk of dissemination or the patient has signs or symptoms like high grade fever.
Was it a swab from an infected skin lesion? if not, from where was the swab done?
Regards
Infection should be treated with antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query
If there is any visible infected lesion Or the patient has signs or symptoms of infection like fever, pain etc then definitely one should be treated with antibiotics to which the organism is sensitive.
Blood test / culture should be done if there is risk of dissemination or the patient has signs or symptoms like high grade fever.
Was it a swab from an infected skin lesion? if not, from where was the swab done?
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The swab was not from a lesion. It was performed on the skin in the groin area, armpit and nasal passages. Recently i was diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, my wife was too from a different doctor and our babysitter. My daughter has had sinus infections... Seems like we may have a house full of MSSA. Should everyone have the skin swab test or should a blood culture/test be performed?
Brief Answer:
Carrier state;No need for Rx unless there is history of repeated infections
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Ok.
Staph aureus can be part of skin flora and throat in some individuals.
These individuals are known as carriers and the carrier state can be a source of infection to themselves (autoinfection) and to others.
Staph aureus can colonize various body sites like nasal, skin, axilla and groin regions.
In fact 30% of normal human beings are carriers of staph aureus at various body sites. However, not all will develop repeated infections.
These individuals are usually healthy and do not suffer from staphylococcus infections.
Carrier state assumes significance only if repeated infections are a problem and then the carrier state needs to be eradicated.
2% Mupirocin ointment, applied twice daily for 5 days, in nasal vestibule eradicates nasal carrier state.
An antibacterial soap, particularly that which contains chlorhexidine would decrease skin colonization with staph aureus.
I don't think there is a need for any blood test Or oral antibiotics unless of course there is a history of repeated bacterial skin infections including bacterial superinfection of chronic sinusitis.
Regards
Carrier state;No need for Rx unless there is history of repeated infections
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Ok.
Staph aureus can be part of skin flora and throat in some individuals.
These individuals are known as carriers and the carrier state can be a source of infection to themselves (autoinfection) and to others.
Staph aureus can colonize various body sites like nasal, skin, axilla and groin regions.
In fact 30% of normal human beings are carriers of staph aureus at various body sites. However, not all will develop repeated infections.
These individuals are usually healthy and do not suffer from staphylococcus infections.
Carrier state assumes significance only if repeated infections are a problem and then the carrier state needs to be eradicated.
2% Mupirocin ointment, applied twice daily for 5 days, in nasal vestibule eradicates nasal carrier state.
An antibacterial soap, particularly that which contains chlorhexidine would decrease skin colonization with staph aureus.
I don't think there is a need for any blood test Or oral antibiotics unless of course there is a history of repeated bacterial skin infections including bacterial superinfection of chronic sinusitis.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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